“Mary Stone is an advisor and friend to Pink Umbrella Theater Company. Without her support, guidance and expertise Pink Umbrella Theater Company would not exist. Over the last seven years, she fostered and cultivated the Next Steps program at First Stage. She led annual professional development sessions for over sixty teachers, building a force of teaching artists not only able to teach and work with students on the spectrum, but a variety of developmental differences. The strength of the Next Steps program transferred to the Theater Academy as a whole. Students in the Next Steps program began to grow up, as they do, and the need for Pink Umbrella Theater Company came into being. She says in her trainings, “This teaching isn't only for Special Ed, it’s just good teaching.” She is right. Her training provides all with the constant reminder to presume competence, to meet each child where they are, and encourage all to grow in their social, emotional, and intellectual skills. Mary is an invaluable member of the team and all of us who have been a part of her professional development are better teaching artists.”  

- Katie Cummings, Founder, Pink Umbrella Theater Co. and Former Academy Director at First Stage, Milwaukee, WI